Power button busted - Aurora ALX

Hi AxeMcAxe,

May I know how did the Power button break?

To ensure it’s a power button issue, try below mentioned steps:

• Let’s by pass the front I/O panel and isolate the Power button.
• Ensure Power cable is disconnected from the tower.
• Open the tower and disconnect the Power button cable from the motherboard end.
• Now remove the CMOS battery.
• Connect the Power cable to the tower and the computer should Power on itself.

Refer the following manual to bypass the Power button:

http://dell.to/12XIa1Q

From the above link click  Manual and Documentation and Service manual.

Before Opening the chassis, I recommend you to disconnect the Power cable, press and hold the power button for few seconds and release to drain the flea power.

Note: Opne the chasy if you are comfortable in doing so.

** NOTE: Please ensure that the power cable of the computer is disconnected before opening the chassis. Refer to the Service Manual for assistance on removing or replacing the internal components of the computer.

Awaiting your response!

Hello The power button on my Aurora has broken off.  Even if I press the black bar underneath the old silver button I get mixed results - sometimes starts, sometimes wont - currently in a "wont start at all phase". Could someone direct me to the correct set of pins on the mobo to short out to start the machine - I can then rig up a second push switch whilst I work out if it's worth asking Dell to fix the machine. (I assume the power button only connects to one pair of pins ?) Many thanks

If the PC is still under warranty we may be able to replace that for you. Send me a private message with your service tag and I'll help you out.

Hello - thanks for getting back to me.

v comfortable dismantling the chassis, but I'm not clear which is the power button cable - can you help me to locate it on the motherboard please ?

(The power button broke because over time the PC seemed to get harder and harder to start, and the button got pressed harder too. Eventually it stuck down, and when I tried to lever it back up the little plastic lugs broke and the silver part came off. It now looks like the attached photo).

AxeMcAxe

I'm concerned about the power button, too. My button rocks back and forth and appear very flimsy and cheap. I expect one day it will snap off and I'll need a new button.

Hi Dales95,

If your warranty is active we can help you with this problem.

Hi - would you be able to answer my main question please ?  ie

Hello - thanks for getting back to me.

I'm not clear which is the power button cable - can you help me to locate it on the motherboard please ?

Many thanks

A

The Silver part of the button is just a cover to the actual power button. You should be able to depress the black button now exposed to get the machine running.

Like I said in the first post - the black button underneath doesn't work either......

I have absolutely identical issue. I think my warranty expired since computer was purchased in 2013. What do I do? Can you guys send the replacement button? Button appeared very low quality and flimsy from the get go but I didn't expect it to fall off like that.

The button is a very complicated piece of tech.

It has the shiny silver cover on top, with another mould fitting into that directly underneath, that sits on a long thin round push down rod that has a shaped piece of thin steel to make the botton return (bounce back) linked to a switch with little fins that move to complete the circuit.

I've had trouble with the things before and if it's really bad the easiest solution is to purchase a replacement, call Dell spare parts in your country and use your service tag to get the right parts. Make sure to compare prices before purchase

Depending on how much damage has been done you may need a front bezel and front I/O panel, the I/O panels are different for R4's but the front bezel is the same for R2/3/4.

Front bezel  - This had the shiny silver button and "middle" mechanism - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Genuine-OEM-Dell-ALIENWARE-AURORA-R3-Desktop-Front-Bezel-DP-N-0405K6-405K6-/151062082080?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232c007220

Front I/O panel - This has the "switch", black push down button and supporting framework - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine-Alienware-Dell-5W6MX-Aurora-R4-Front-I-O-Panel-Cover-Assembly-/111538253498?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f832aeba

I will have to go through Dell myself. As everyone else posted, it just got worse and worse, flimsier and flimsier. Not complicated technology, just lowest price. I have my clunker self-made unit tower--a somewhere in east-asia make and the on/off switch works fine after 5 years. I bought this Dell Aurora R4 March, 2014.  I hope that tech chat pays off.